Beatrix Potter had long wanted to bring out an illustrated poetry anthology. She first suggested the idea to her publishers, Frederick Warne & Co,, shortly after the publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902. In 1904, Potter produced a dummy book to show what a published copy of Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes would look like. Potter received little encouragement from Frederick Warne & Co. regarding her idea for a poetry anthology. She was encouraged to write more prose stories instead. In 1917, Frederick Warne & Co. became mired in scandal when one of its senior staff members, Harold Warne, was found guilty of forgery and sentenced to eighteen months hard labor. It was decided that the best way to turn around the fortunes of Frederick Warne & Co. was to bring out a new book by Beatri